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achilles2828
n00b
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2004
- Messages
- 19
Plot - thanks for the support!
To answer your questions. No, we havent solved the problem yet. As three-sixteen said, a bios flash fails to delete the service tag ID as Dells proprietary bios for Dimension systems are coded to retain service tag info during bios upgrades or downgrades (we tried that too). Replacing bios chips doesnt work for the reasons three-sixteen mentioned.
We are selling the computers with original HD's but use a program called Evidence Eliminator to wipe the drives specifying a 7x random delete pattern. Our consultants have advised us this should be sufficient to preserve hdd anonymity and preclude data reacquisition. In your opinion, is a 7x random delete pattern sufficient to wipe the drives?
Scotty - habeeb!! LOL!
I checked out the links and thanks!
Trust me, Im no sally on the phone. Dells customer support is mired in dead ends and incompetent staff. Personally, I get the feeling from interactions with Dell CS and three-sixteens 'suspect' attitude, service tag edits are HIGHLY frowned upon in Dells corporate culture. Consequently, Dell tech and CS staff fervently discourage customers from performing a service tag swap - even if its being done for legitimate reasons on systems they OWN!
We could destroy the mobos and sell the remaining components, but as I mentioned, we're strapped for cash. Intact systems command much higher resale prices, so we're sticking with that for now.
Jacuzzi1 - I know of several clients and suppliers who activily perform service tag/serial code wipes prior to resale. It's actually pretty common but success depends on the system you have.
We'd be destroying the equipment too if we had the money to burn. Unfortunately, we don't. Thanks for the suggestions though!!
lopoetve - good point. But suing Dell would likely involve significant attorney costs which wouldnt be compensated for until after trial conclusion or a settlement was reached. Even then, its an expensive gamble.
To answer your questions. No, we havent solved the problem yet. As three-sixteen said, a bios flash fails to delete the service tag ID as Dells proprietary bios for Dimension systems are coded to retain service tag info during bios upgrades or downgrades (we tried that too). Replacing bios chips doesnt work for the reasons three-sixteen mentioned.
We are selling the computers with original HD's but use a program called Evidence Eliminator to wipe the drives specifying a 7x random delete pattern. Our consultants have advised us this should be sufficient to preserve hdd anonymity and preclude data reacquisition. In your opinion, is a 7x random delete pattern sufficient to wipe the drives?
Scotty - habeeb!! LOL!
I checked out the links and thanks!
Trust me, Im no sally on the phone. Dells customer support is mired in dead ends and incompetent staff. Personally, I get the feeling from interactions with Dell CS and three-sixteens 'suspect' attitude, service tag edits are HIGHLY frowned upon in Dells corporate culture. Consequently, Dell tech and CS staff fervently discourage customers from performing a service tag swap - even if its being done for legitimate reasons on systems they OWN!
We could destroy the mobos and sell the remaining components, but as I mentioned, we're strapped for cash. Intact systems command much higher resale prices, so we're sticking with that for now.
Jacuzzi1 - I know of several clients and suppliers who activily perform service tag/serial code wipes prior to resale. It's actually pretty common but success depends on the system you have.
We'd be destroying the equipment too if we had the money to burn. Unfortunately, we don't. Thanks for the suggestions though!!
lopoetve - good point. But suing Dell would likely involve significant attorney costs which wouldnt be compensated for until after trial conclusion or a settlement was reached. Even then, its an expensive gamble.
